Owens’ Board of Trustees honored student Benjamin Irvine with a Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College student Benjamin Irvine of Maumee has been chosen by the Board of Trustees Student Life Committee to receive a student excellence award for his commitment to academics, community engagement, student leadership and involvement in student life.

Irvine received the Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Student Leadership and was recognized for his achievement at the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

Irvine was nominated by Kimberly Holman for his exceptional student leadership in supporting fellow nursing students in the development of their own academic and leadership skills and service in the community. The registered nursing major serves as President of the Pi Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society at Owens and led the efforts in organizing the chapter’s capstone project requirement while encouraging member involvement. Irvine is also a member of the Owens Student Nurses Association and voluntarily formed a biweekly pharmacology study group that has impacted student achievement within the classroom. Additionally, he provides service to the community through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity.

The Board of Trustees Student Life Committee was chartered in 2011 to recognize and celebrate students who demonstrate the College’s core values of service, learning, innovation, collaboration and excellence through their achievements in academics, community engagement or involvement in student leadership and student life.

Any individual may nominate an Owens student or a group of students who demonstrate achievements specific to the award categories of Exemplary Academic Achievement, Extraordinary Community Engagement or Volunteerism and Exceptional Student Leadership or Student Life Involvement. The awards are presented regularly to student recipients during Board of Trustees meetings.

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of six community leaders who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio. Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, William E. Takacs of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford.

Board of Trustees Basketball Honor #1
Owens Express men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes and staff as well as Board of Trustees members pose for a photo after the two teams were honored during the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees recently honored the Express men’s and women’s basketball teams for exhibiting leadership, teamwork and excellence during their highly successful 2012-13 seasons. Team members were recognized for their achievements at the College’s recent Board of Trustees meeting.

“Our goals as an athletic department are very simple, and we stress them daily to our student-athletes. We want to win championships and graduate student-athletes,” said Rudy Yovich, Owens Director of Athletics. “We have been very successful in achieving those goals, but only because of the tremendous support of our Administration and Board of Trustees. We are very proud to represent the entire Owens Community College family, both locally and nationally, and thank the Board of Trustees for this special recognition.”

The Express men’s basketball team, led by Head Coach David Clarke, recently finished fourth among 16 teams in the NJCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. Owens, which finished with a 26-10 overall record, totaled two victories and two loses during the double elimination tournament. Tournament wins came against Iowa Lakes Community College and Central Community College-Columbus. The Express’ tournament loses were to Rend Lake College and Brown Mackie College.

This was Owens’ eighth trip to the national championship tournament. The men’s basketball program captured NJCAA national championships during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons and finished national runner-up in 1993-94. The Express’ most recent tournament appearance, prior to this year, took place in 2002-03. During the regular season, Clarke’s team finished in second place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (10-2 record).

The Express women’s basketball team recently completed one of its most successful seasons in program history finishing seventh among 16 teams in the NJCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. Led by Head Coach Michael Llanas, Owens totaled three victories and one loss during the tournament. Tournament wins came against Erie Community College, St. Louis Community College and Lake Michigan College. The Express’ lone tournament loss was to Community College of Rhode Island.

This was the fifth trip for the Express to the national championship tournament. Owens’ previous appearances, prior to the 2012-13 campaign, were in the 1997-98 (seventh place), 1998-99 (eighth place), 2002-03 (sixth place) and 2003-04 (ninth place) seasons.

Owens finished the season with a 28-8 overall record. Additionally, the Express captured the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference title (10-2 record) for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign. Owens was ranked No. 9 in the final NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball regular season poll.

The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of six community leaders who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio. Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, William E. Takacs of Toledo and Thomas R. Uhler of Rossford.

Donated items, as well as monetary donations, can be dropped off during the day of the College’s Spring Commencement. The collection point will be located in the hallway outside the Student Health and Activities Center gymnasium, where commencement ceremonies will occur that evening. Canned goods will be accepted from 5:30-9 p.m. All donations will be used to help the Owens Harvest Food Pantry initiative.

The Owens Harvest Food Pantry was established to provide collaborative learning opportunities for students as well as faculty and staff in various academic departments and disciplines. The initiative also offers financial help and assistance to students in the form of perishable and non-perishable food resources. 

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 by the presidents of eight Missouri junior colleges for women. In 1924, the international organization was expanded to include all two-year colleges. To date, more than one million individuals have been inducted into the international honor society. Owens’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is one of the largest in Ohio.

For more information about project graduation or to donate, call (567) 661-7930 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7930.

Beginning Monday, April 22, Owens’ Student Government will accept a variety of new and gently used caps and gowns. The Graduation Donation Program drive will run through May 10. Collected caps and gowns will be available for Owens graduating students to use during Spring Commencement for a $10 deposit, while supplies last, as part of the Student Government outreach program. Interested graduates can pick up their cap and gown in the College’s Student Health and Activities Center Room 165 on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg Township starting April 24.

“Owens Community College’s Student Government sees the cap and gown collection program as a great opportunity for college and university graduates to give back by donating their cap and gown to those less fortunate students,” said Marlissa Nordhaus, Owens Student Government Vice President. “We want to make sure that the last thing students need to worry about on their special day is having enough money for a cap and gown.”

According Nordhaus, the Owens Student Government is accepting donated caps and gowns of all colors from other colleges and universities as they do not have to be Owens’ traditional cap and gown commencement color of black.

“We intend to work with area colleges and universities and provide them with the donated caps and gowns to assist their own students,” she stated.

Owens has set up a collection points on both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their caps and gowns on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center Room 165. On the Findlay-area Campus, the collection point is in the College’s Student Services Center.  

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

For more information about the collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-2569 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2569.

Presented in conjunction with the Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ third annual Owens High School Honors Band Day, the concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The performance is free and open to the public.

“Owens Community College’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts is proud to once again partner with area high schools and provide a day for students to showcase their impressive musical talents,” said Fred Dais, Owens Adjunct Instructor in Fine and Performing Arts and High School Honors Band Day and Concert Event Coordinator. “High School Honors Band Day is designed to allow Northwest Ohio’s young and aspiring musicians to come together, learn from each other and experience the joy of music in a fun environment.”

Musical selections presented by the group will include “American Salute”, “New York: 1927”, “Sabre and Spurs March”, “Dances Americanesque”, “Southwest Saga” and a tribute to the Broadway “Jersey Boys” production. Community members serving as conductors during the concert are Owens School of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Doug Mead and recently retired Southview High School Band Director Tim Hoffman.

High schools participating in Owens’ High School Honors Band Day are Anthony Wayne H.S., Eastwood H.S., Elmwood H.S., Emmanuel Christian School, Lake H.S., Maumee H.S., North Baltimore H.S., Rossford H.S., Southview H.S., Springfield H.S. and Whiteford H.S.

Throughout the daylong event, Owens High School Honors Band Day attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities in preparation for the High School Honors Band Concert, including seating auditions, full-band rehearsal and sectional-band rehearsal, among other music programming.

Owens’ Department of Fine and Performing Arts offers students the opportunity to pursue an associate degree in music performance/education in preparation for careers as aspiring music educators or performers. A music business technology certificate program is also available for those individuals interested in enhancing their knowledge within the areas of music business and studio music technology. 

For more information about the concert, contact Owens’ Department of Fine and Performing Arts at (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.

Photo by: Owens Community College

Robert W. LaClair, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio), will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Spring Commencement. Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public.

In his current role at Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio), LaClair is responsible for the growth and strategic direction of the four lines of business including: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors for the affiliate. 

LaClair joined Fifth Third Bank in 1999 as Vice President of Mortgage Lending. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2001 and was named Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending in 2002. LaClair served as Senior Vice President of Retail Banking from 2003 until being named President and CEO in April 2005.

He began his banking career at First National Bank of Toledo in 1982 and held various positions, including manager of the Consumer Credit, Bankcard and Business Development areas. He moved to Mid American National Bank in 1990 and served in several managerial positions in Consumer Lending, Mortgage Lending, Retail Banking and Health Care Finance.

LaClair attended the University of Toledo and Heidelberg College.

LaClair is a member of the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio). He also serves on the boards of ProMedica Health System, Wildwood Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, Regional Growth Partnership, Lourdes University and the Toledo Symphony. He currently is the campaign chair for the Ohio Theatre renovation, was the 2011 capital campaign chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, the honorary chair of the Salvation Army’s 2010 and 2011 Red Kettle Campaigns and chair of the 2011 March of Dimes March for Babies. He also served as the 2011 corporate chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, the 2008 board chair and the 2007 campaign chair for United Way of Greater Toledo.

Photo by: Owens Community College

Bradley W. Higgs has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremony. The Toledo resident is earning his associate’s degree in criminal justice.

Higgs grew up in Toledo and was kicked out of his house at the age of 10 along with his three younger siblings. They were homeless and made money washing cars and pumping gas. Eventually, the four children were picked up by the police and placed in foster homes.

At the age of 15, Higgs was adopted along with his 14-year-old sister by their oldest sister, who was 21 at the time. By the time he was 16, he started to get into trouble and by 19 he had been arrested and was serving time in prison.

After serving his sentence, he became reacquainted with religion and changed his life in a Volunteers of America halfway house. Soon after, he enrolled at Owens Community College.

Higgs, who holds a GED Diploma, never forgot his experience at the halfway house and went back to volunteer at Volunteers of America. Eventually, he was hired and promoted by the outreach organization. He is now the Front Desk Security Supervisor at the Chestnut Hill Apartments in Toledo.

“I want to be a light of inspiration to my children and to anyone else who had a past similar to my own. There is light at the end of the tunnel, if you just don’t give up,” Higgs said.

The 35-year-old has a 3.8 grade point average and is graduating Magna Cum Laude from Owens.

“Bradley is a fine young man who has touched me as an instructor. He is truly one of the future leaders in our profession,” said Wayne Seely, Associate Professor at Owens and retired police chief.

Higgs credits his success to the support and encouragement of the faculty at Owens, especially Seely and Angela Ondrus. The support of his family was also a critical part of his success, including his daughter, Alasha, who is also an honors student in middle school.

Higgs plans on continuing his education and transferring to a four-year college or university this fall with the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree in social work. Ultimately, his goal is to work with juvenile offenders.

Create a terrarium by cutting the bottom off of a plastic bottle. Fill bottom with soil and plant, then tape the top back on. Add water through opening at top. -Photo by Cathy Zeltner

By Cathy Zeltner

Today, April 22, 2013 is Earth Day. It is the day to do something good for the planet we live on.There are many things you can do to celebrate the

day. You could plant a tree. Donate to a worthy conservation organization. Carpool with a friend. I reused plastic bottles to  make terrariums for a couple of my small plants.

But why just do something today? Why not do something every day? Here are several simple and inexpensive (sometimes free) ways to celebrate the earth every day of the year.

• Turn down the brightness level on your computer to save  power.
• Take re-usable shopping bags to the store. Not only are they Eco-friendly, but they are less likely to tear as you tote your purchases home.
• Switch your billing statements to online, to save paper.
• Choose tap water over bottled water. It produces no waste and is less expensive. If really must have “bottled” water, try an inexpensive filter that uses tap water. They make large ones for under your sink, small ones that attach to the faucet and even ones that go inside a reusable water bottle, so there are plenty of options.
• Wash your clothes in cold water. Hot water uses more energy.
• Turn off the television and take a walk. Not only does it save energy, but it’s also a healthy way to get exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.
• Pick up liter. Don’ t leave litter lay. When you see it, pick it up and dispose of it properly
• Plant something! A tree gives shade in the summer and a place for the birds to live. Fruit trees also give free food. A garden can produce food that you can feed your family without the worries of pesticides, and its much less expensive than the grocery store. If you grow too much you can share with your neighbors or a local food pantry. And flowers make everything beautiful while cleaning our air, naturally!
• Recycle. We all know that recycling can make a difference. Recycle plastic, paper, glass and metal. Purchase items that are made from recycled materials when possible as well.
• Reuse. Think about what an item could be used for before tossing it in the recycle or trash bin. That beautiful bottle from wine may make a lovely vase for those flowers you planted. The clothes your child just outgrew may fit a friend’s child. Or, donate them to a resale organization that will use the money made from the sale to help the needy. Have a clothing swap with friends to share clothes that you tire of or that no longer fit you. Have a yard sale. Remember that old saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!” Decorate used soup/vegetable cans for pretty and easy storage of pens and pencils, cooking utensils, craft supplies or other small items. Empty jars with lids and prescription medicine containers are great to store small, easy to lose items such as beads, nuts and bolts or paperclips.
• Switch to reusable water bottles and travel cups. Many gas stations, convince stores, or coffee houses offer reusable coffee mugs to customers that can be refilled for a discounted price. Even if you’re favorite coffee place does not offer this, ask if you can bring your own cup to fill. Cold beverage travel cups are also available to take your favorite beverage with you. It saves the environment and money to use reusable cups and bottles.

For more information on how to make a difference, visit  http://stayinspired365.com/2013/04/22/happy-earth-day-4-22-13/

The denim collection drive initiative is part of a nationwide effort with the “®COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.” environmental program. Founded in 2006, the denim program gives “new life” to used items by converting them to UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation. The insulation is then provided to communities in need to assist with building efforts. UltraTouch is composed of 85 percent recycled cotton fibers and is an environmentally safe, non-itch insulation without carcinogenic warnings, formaldehyde or chemical irritants. 

Since the start of the “®COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.” denim drive in 2006, the program has received a total of over 500,000 pieces of denim and provided enough UltraTouch National Cotton Fiber Insulation for approximately 1.5 million square feet of insulation to assist with building efforts for communities in need.

At the collection drive’s conclusion, all denim materials will be presented to Eisenhower Middle School seventh grader Erek Hansen of Curtice to assist in his personal goal of collecting over 5,000 items for the “®COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.” program. Last year, the twelve-year-old collected 5,019 denim items.

Owens has set up a variety of collection points around the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their denim items on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and Activities Center Room 165 and the College Hall Bookstore. On the Findlay-area Campus, collection points are in the College’s Atrium area.   

Last year, Owens students collected over 500 denim items as part of the outreach initiative. For more information about the denim collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.

The concert will begin 2:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Owens’ Toledo-area Campus is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. The performance is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Selections presented by the Owens Concert Band, which is comprised of Owens students and employees and community members, will include a medley of Broadway Show selections by Andrew Lloyd Webber as well as such music as “Broad Stripe and Bright Stars”, “Sea Song Fantasy”, “Songs of Old Kentucky” and a tribute to jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson titled “Maynard Madness”, among others.

For more information about the Spring Pops Concert, contact the College’s Fine and Performing Arts Department at (567) 661-7081 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7081.